Reality Check: Minn. Budget Bill's State Workforce Cuts
Minnesota's laid off state workers are back on the job after the governor and legislature reached a budget deal, but they face more cuts with the compromise to end the 20-day shutdown.
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Minnesota's laid off state workers are back on the job after the governor and legislature reached a budget deal, but they face more cuts with the compromise to end the 20-day shutdown.
State employees began returning to work in Minnesota Thursday after a new budget agreement ended a government shutdown of nearly three weeks.
Both chambers of the Legislature went into floor sessions about 6 p.m. Tuesday and passed five of nine budget bills in less than two hours.
Minnesota's state government shutdown slid toward the three-week mark on Monday as key Republican legislators and members of Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton's administration scurried to translate a handshake budget deal into bills that can pass the GOP-controlled Legislature.
Not only are Minnesota lawmakers writing the bills behind closed doors, they are writing the bills inside the State Capitol, which is closed and locked to the public.
Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican leaders are hoping to finish work by midnight on a budget deal to end Minnesota's 15-day government shutdown. It's an agreement no one seems to like, including Dayton.
In the two weeks since Minnesota's shutdown began, Republican House and Senate leaders have called five times for Gov. Mark Dayton to call a special session. They say the shutdown is "completely unnecessary" because there's agreement on almost every aspect of the major budget bill.
Lyda Hanson thought she was one of the lucky ones. Even before graduating from beauty school, she landed a job at a "perfect" salon and was ready to get started on her dream career.
WCCO-TV's Reality Check reported last week that an overwhelming majority of Minnesota lawmakers, Democrats and Republicans, are getting paid during the shutdown. Now, one legislator says there's something wrong with that.
Minnesota is about to enter the record books: the longest state government shutdown in modern history.
Day eight of the Minnesota government shutdown could be called the day of "no:" No talks scheduled, no progress, no urgency and no signs of a compromise.
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty inserted himself into the 2011 shutdown debate twice in the last six days.
A commission convened by former Vice President Walter Mondale and former Gov. Arne Carlson says Minnesota should raise cigarette, alcohol and income taxes to end a week-old government shutdown.
Another step backwards for Minnesota lawmakers trying to negotiate a budget deal to end the government shutdown, now in it's sixth day.
The blind are losing reading services. A help line for the elderly has gone silent. And poor families are scrambling after the state stopped child care subsidies.
Minnesota stumbled into its second government shutdown in six years on Thursday, with a partisan divide over taxes and spending to close a $5 billion deficit becoming only more bitter as a midnight deadline came and went without agreement.
Minnesota's governor and top Republican lawmakers broke from a sixth straight day of budget talks Wednesday without solving an impasse over the $5 billion deficit, hours after a judge issued a bare-bones list of services that must be maintained if state government shuts down.
Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican legislative leaders met briefly Monday, but kept a tight clamp on whether their private meetings have produced any progress toward a budget deal that would head off a government shutdown at the end of the week.
Part of a state shutdown that has thousands of families worried: Nursing home workers could be declared "non-essential," and state payments could stop. Furthermore, if there's an extend shutdown, some nursing homes could close.
Gov. Mark Dayton says a Republican offer to drop $200 million in tax cuts they wanted and spend it on his priorities is a "non-proposal" that gets the two sides no closer to a budget deal that would avert a government shutdown in two weeks.
Republican leaders and the governor will try again Thursday to make progress on a state budget agreement -- and avoid a government shutdown.
Rep. Michele Bachmann says she is officially a candidate for GOP nomination for president.
For those who enjoy visiting Minnesota's state parks, the shutdown could affect where many of us spend our Fourth of July weekend.
More budget meetings at the state capitol, but there was very little progress. So groups with an interest in the fight are turning to TV, in an attempt to win the battle of public opinion.
Minnesota's Department of Management and Budget announced Thursday that it sent out 36,000 layoff notices to state employees by U.S. Mail.
As the world's best soccer-playing adults battle it out in New York for the World Cup. Their juniors are slugging it out in Minnesota for the USA Cup.
Michael Busch homered, and Miguel Amaya and Pedro Ramirez had two RBIs each to help Chicago win for the third time in four games.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued another air quality alert on Saturday. The alert is in effect through Monday and is expected to impact the eastern and central parts of the state.
Target said it received 23 reports of the sandal's pearls falling off the shoe.
Under the threat of at least 15 burning fires in and around the Boundary Waters, local authorities are closing roads. As smoke filled the air over the area this week, heroics played out on the water.
As the world's best soccer-playing adults battle it out in New York for the World Cup. Their juniors are slugging it out in Minnesota for the USA Cup.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued another air quality alert on Saturday. The alert is in effect through Monday and is expected to impact the eastern and central parts of the state.
The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating after a 16-year-old suffered life-threatening injuries in a motorcycle crash on Wednesday.
Police in St. Paul, Minnesota, are investigating a fatal shooting in the city's Frongtown neighborhood.
The Minnesota Yacht Club Festival is expected to bring thousands upon thousands each day to Harriet Island Regional Park in St. Paul between Friday and Sunday.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued another air quality alert on Saturday. The alert is in effect through Monday and is expected to impact the eastern and central parts of the state.
Under the threat of at least 15 burning fires in and around the Boundary Waters, local authorities are closing roads. As smoke filled the air over the area this week, heroics played out on the water.
Officials in northern Minnesota say the death of a woman whose body was found in a ditch Thursday is being investigated as suspicious.
A central Minnesota driver faces a felony charge after authorities allege she hit a man walking his dog, killing the animal and leaving the owner with multiple injuries.
Crews are working to keep wildfires burning across northern Minnesota from reaching public and private infrastructure, officials said in a news conference Friday afternoon.
For 66 years, the Lumberjack World Championships have brought the world's best to Hayward, Wisconsin.
Three people who died after a pontoon overturned on Lake Pepin over the weekend have been identified.
Two of the decedents were members of the Wabasha Fire Department, the chief confirmed.
A Wisconsin family lost their ten-month-old daughter after she swallowed a water bead. They blame Target and the water bead manufacturer for her death.
Francesca Hong has not backed away from calls to defund and abolish the police, raise taxes on the wealthy, and create a state-owned bank — positions now facing voters in a state Trump has carried twice.
The city of St. Paul, Minnesota, is taking a stand and closing encampments amid growing concerns.
Baseball fans might remember the Metrodome's iconic blue seats, and now in Atwater, Minnesota, spectators can once again grab a blue seat and watch a game.
Tucked away in the Midway neighborhood in St. Paul is a community treasure many have come to love and respect.
What started as a small fundraiser following one of Joe's surgeries at Gillette Children's has grown into a community tradition that has raised nearly $100,000 for the hospital.
A trip to the video store was once a weekly ritual, and now one Minnesota movie lover is trying to bring that experience back.
The Justice Department determined this week a federal law banning TikTok from government devices no longer applies to the social video app.
Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez ended her Democratic primary campaign for Wisconsin governor Friday, citing financial problems she said would distract from an election Democrats need to win.
In a primetime address, President Trump took to the airwaves to allege interference in the 2020 election from China — an accusation that Beijing and U.S. intelligence agencies have contradicted.
President Trump delivered a speech on election security Thursday night at the White House. Here are the facts behind some of his claims.
In this week's Talking Points, some warn that this endorsement could destroy the GOP's chances of winning up and down the ballot, including among Republicans.
The lawsuit accuses Loon of using "kid-friendly characters" to promote its vapes in flavors such as Cotton Candy, Strawberry Popsicle, Banana Taffy and Blue Razz Slushy.
A Wisconsin family lost their ten-month-old daughter after she swallowed a water bead. They blame Target and the water bead manufacturer for her death.
For many Minnesotans, the road to the Fourth of July starts with a short drive across the St. Croix River to Wisconsin to stock up on fireworks. The kinds of pyrotechnics that can be legally ignited in Minnesota might be surprising.
Insurance experts say hail damage claims that once averaged $10,000–$15,000 now routinely reach $40,000–$60,000, even as many policies have shifted away from full replacement coverage.
Hundreds of workers, employed by Delaware North Company to serve food and drinks, say they are fighting for livable wages and healthcare benefits.
Police in St. Paul, Minnesota, are investigating a fatal shooting in the city's Frongtown neighborhood.
St. Paul officials are temporarily pausing many streetlight repairs after spending millions of dollars responding to copper theft vandalism. The decision comes as business owners along Payne Avenue say dark streets have become an everyday reality, affecting customers and safety.
Forty-two-year-old Abdikerm Eidleh appeared in federal court in St. Paul on Friday, just weeks after he was arrested in Mogadishu.
A central Minnesota driver faces a felony charge after authorities allege she hit a man walking his dog, killing the animal and leaving the owner with multiple injuries.
An argument escalated into a shooting around 10:40 p.m. Thursday near Cedar and 17th avenues, the Minneapolis Police Department said.
Taylor Farms said none of its branded salads or kits contain the iceberg lettuce associated with the outbreak.
The advice is to stay inside when air quality turns hazardous, but that's not an option for many outdoor workers.
A lettuce supplier to fast-food giant Taco Bell has been linked to a nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands of people, the CDC said.
The Target USA Cup, the largest youth soccer tournament in the Western Hemisphere, is suspended Thursday in the Twin Cities due to hazardous air quality from northern wildfires.
A state law passed last year directed the state Department of Health to create materials on "recognizing the signs of physical abuse in infants and how to report suspected physical abuse of infants" and make them available online.
The Minnesota Yacht Club Festival is expected to bring thousands upon thousands each day to Harriet Island Regional Park in St. Paul between Friday and Sunday.
There's so much to do this weekend in Minnesota, from festivals to art fairs.
Three Minnesota ice cream shops are in the running for a national title this summer.
New Zealand actor Sam Neill, known for "Jurassic Park" and "The Piano," died Monday at 78, his family says.
A St. Paul, Minnesota, neighborhood that has struggled to keep businesses might be turning a corner.
Michael Busch homered, and Miguel Amaya and Pedro Ramirez had two RBIs each to help Chicago win for the third time in four games.
Ryan Jeffers hit a go-ahead three-run homer, Bailey Ober struck out seven in 5 1/3 innings and the surging Minnesota Twins beat the Chicago Cubs 5-2 on Friday night.
LeBron James, the NBA's career scoring king and current free agent, remains undecided about where he'll play this season.
The Target USA Cup, the largest youth soccer tournament in the Western Hemisphere, is suspended Thursday in the Twin Cities due to hazardous air quality from northern wildfires.
Kayla McBride scored 24 for her fifth straight 20-point performance, Courtney Williams added 19 points, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Los Angeles Sparks 96-87 for their fourth straight victory.
There's less than a month to go before the Aug. 11 primary, and one of the most watched and competitive races is the DFL race for the nomination for U.S. Senate between Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig.
New campaign finance numbers are expected out later this week in federal races, including Minnesota's U.S. Senate race, where a flood of ads is evidence of a highly competitive race.
Minnesota Republicans head into an August primary shaped by a president who has lost the state three times but still commands outsized loyalty from its conservative base.
Minnesota Republicans head into an August primary shaped by a president who has lost the state three times but still commands outsized loyalty from its conservative base.
Mike Lindell, who leads the Minnesota Republican gubernatorial primary at 27%, is proposing conditional non-resident visas for undocumented immigrants with no criminal record — a position that differs from the Trump administration's approach.
There's a scenic, nearly century-old spot in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where right now you'll find thousands of flowers in bloom.
Baseball fans might remember the Metrodome's iconic blue seats, and now in Atwater, Minnesota, spectators can once again grab a blue seat and watch a game.
It's a lake cruise in the middle of town, and there's more than pelicans on the Pelican Breeze tour in Albert Lea, Minnesota.
Currie, Minnesota, is truly small-town America. The population hovers at just over 200. But on the northern outskirts, you'll happen upon a place with plenty of bells and whistles: End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum
School's out, summer's here, and if you're heading to the lake on Highway 10, you may just stumble upon hidden treasure.
When you get home from work in the evening, your first thought may be dinner. You might fire up the stove or oven, you could also start a load of laundry. Not long after that, you're running the dishwasher. You may think you're being efficient, but your house during this heat wave disagrees.
It's one of Minnesota's rules of the road in which two is better than one. But Jodi from Lakeville emailed WCCO saying a lot of drivers don't seem to care about the law.
Catching a flight with just a carry-on can make travel feel easy. No need to check a bag and all your belongings stay with you. But quite often, that suddenly changes before boarding.
Skip the latest fad diet. The best way to manage your weight might already be sitting on your plate.
There's no doubt your air conditioning unit is working overtime this week as oppressive heat blankets Minnesota.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new foods for 2026.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Tuesday night.
A look at the newest addition to the polar bear population at St. Paul, Minnesota's Como Zoo.
From food shelves to school programs, our team is proud to serve where it matters most.
Another air quality alert has been issued through Monday. Temperatures will continue to be hot with highs in the 90s. Meteorologist Katie Steiner breaks down the next few days and shares when we could get some relief.
In Minnesota, weather can be all over the place. Here at WCCO, we want to give you what you need to prepare for what's happening next.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued another air quality alert on Saturday. The alert is in effect through Monday and is expected to impact the eastern and central parts of the state.
Another round of smoke is on the way for parts of Minnesota. Cooler temperatures are inbound too. NEXT Weather Meteorologist Adam Del Rosso shows us where the air quality will be impacted the most.
Thick wildfire smoke could return to northern Wisconsin on Saturday afternoon and to parts of eastern Minnesota by Sunday morning, NEXT Weather meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says.
Another air quality alert has been issued through Monday. Temperatures will continue to be hot with highs in the 90s. Meteorologist Katie Steiner breaks down the next few days and shares when we could get some relief.
Junior athletes from around the world compete for USA cup in Blaine, Minnesota.
Hundreds take to the soccer pitch in Blaine.
Heroics play out on the water up north as wildfires rage.
Ever wondered what Minnesota looked like millions of years ago? The Bell Museum can answer that through Minnesota Unearthed.